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Deion Sanders adds his first priority Transfer Portal target and former Ohio State Buckeye playmaker

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Travis May | Last updated 4/22/24

Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes continue to add players via the Transfer Portal this offseason. While it's true the team has lost nearly 30 players to the portal this spring, with today's latest addition they're nearing 30 incoming transfers as well. And today's addition is different than any other this spring according to one top College Football media member.

Steve Wiltfong of On3 Sports reported that former Ohio State running back Dallan Hayden will be transferring to Colorado to play for Coach Prime and Colorado. He also specifically mentioned that Hayden was the first player that Deion Sanders talked to in the spring portal window. Colorado gets to add their first spring priority, and Hayden is a much needed talent on offense.

BREAKING: Former Ohio State RB Dallan Hayden will transfer to Colorado. He was the first player Deion Sanders talked to in this portal window and they now add one of the top available players.

Story: https://t.co/5wsUREQ8mi pic.twitter.com/YGxb8zENgl
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) April 22, 2024

Dallan Hayden impressed back in 2022 when Ohio State's star running back TreVeyon Henderson missed time due to injury. Hayden racked up almost 600 yards from scrimmage in that true freshman season, sparking some to believe he was a future Buckeyes star-in-the-making. However, after not seeing significant work last season, and being pushed down the depth chart via the addition of Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss, Hayden decided it was time to go.

It was clear that Hayden was looking for a lead running back role somewhere, and he may have found it in Colorado. The Buffaloes return second year running back Dylan Edwards who tallied over 600 yards from scrimmage last season for Coach Prime, but the team doesn't return any other truly proven talent in their backfield. They also just lost Alton McCaskill, a former 1000-yard rusher for Houston, so the team was in dire need of a go-to running back like Hayden.

Hayden is a much more suitable every down player (at 5'10", 205 pounds) than Dylan Edwards who weighed less than 180 pounds last season. Hayden should take the bulk of the workload on the ground for the Buffaloes this fall with Edwards coming in to bring some explosive speed from time to time. Hayden is a huge acquisition for coach Deion Sanders. The team had patched up their offensive line and receiving corps already. Now they've put the finishing touches on the rushing attack.

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And if you want to watch some Dallan Hayden highlights to see what he brings to the table for Coach Prime and Colorado Football just check out his true freshman highlights at Ohio State in the video below!